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Ever stop to wonder where the heck Bell motorcycle helmets went? After all for years it seemed like the Bell logo was everywhere you looked and it seemed a Bell helmet could be found hanging on every motorcycle.

During it's time Bell was the equivalent of a Shoei or Suomy helmet. Just like today you own a Shoei if you are serious, then you owned a Bell.

Bell began to disappear when it was bought by the Italian helmet manufacturer Bieffe. The name seemed to disappear from the motorcycle world but it became a household world in off road helmets and bicycle helmets around the world.

But recently the Bell name has reentered the motorcycle helmet world with some great designs for this season. Now they have a full line of Snell M2000 and DOT approved off road helmets and motocross helmets as well a line of open face street helmets.

The Mag 8 is one of those street helmets with its European style flair making it get noticed. Actually it is one of those styles you either love or hate. Personally I think it's a great looking helmet with a really cool open face design and it's also got a really comfortable fit.

In today's helmet market it's rather agreed upon that a full face helmet provides the ultimate in safety and that an open face helmet just isn't all that smart. But wait! Perhaps an open face isn't that bad.

Can't you feel that air across your face? An open face would be great in those hot summer months. And it would be a great choice for touring.

The shape of the Mag 8 works perfect for the round shaped head and it is available from small to extra large. It's a nice thin helmet that does the job well and you won't find any pressure points. And the ear pockets are huge so anyone with larger ears are going to love it.

And it is surprisingly quiet even with the thinner padding. This might be because the air flow is different and so there is no turbulence. You should find this helmet ultra comfy and quiet on your rides.

The visor is a fixed painted visor which has minimal lift at speeds in excess of 60 mph so that's not too bad at all. And because it overhangs it keeps the sun out of your eyes and lets the air slip through.

The friction mechanism on the visor resists the air pressure with no problem and you have an unlimited number of positions to choose from. The visor is crystal clear with a large viewing area.

The paint job on the helmet is great with a bright blue metal flake color that's vibrant! It shimmers and shines. The wide black bumper covers the bottom of the helmet and it's attached with the standard D-ring system. Its DOT approved so wear with confidence.

The open face helmet is not as popular as it use to be because a full face has become known for the additional safety features. That said this is a helmet that's worth considering. It' will be cool in the hot summer weather and it's so stylish and different. No more boring helmets here.

The Bell motorcycle helmets are a great choice for that scooter or touring bike! So what are you waiting for?